The NFL season officially kicks off on Thursday night with the league's oldest rivalry. The Green Bay Packers travel to the windy city to take on the Chicago Bears. The offense of Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay against Kahlil Mack and that Bear defense. It should be a great matchup to kick off the season. It's a matchup that I've been able to see a number of times in person.

My first NFL game was a Bears vs. Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Holly got us tickets for our first wedding anniversary. There was only one problem. She hadn't been at her job long enough to get time off and she had inventory that weekend. So I spent my first wedding anniversary in a hotel room with Bob James. True story. Oh, and the Packers lost to the Bears.

Despite the overall rivalry being close, the Packers under Aaron Rodgers have had the Bears number. Rodgers has won 16 of 21 games he's started against Chicago, throwing 45 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. He led them over the Bears in the 2011 NFC Championship game, and then on to win the Super Bowl over the Steelers. And who can forget THIS dagger?

That pass won the NFC North division. Turn away Bears fans, it doesn't get any better. Last season, Chicago came to Green Bay for the season opener. Holly and I got to go and were hoping to see more Rodgers magic. But Aaron got hurt early and the Bears cruised to a big lead. But when Rodgers came back out after halftime you knew something special was brewing. What happened is one of the greatest comebacks in Packer history capped by this amazing play!

Green Bay would hold on to win the game. But that was as good as last season got for the Packers. The Bears would go on to win the division and the Packers missed the playoffs.

The rivalry continues Thursday night in Chicago, and all I can say is GO PACK GO!

 

More From 98.1 KHAK